When Mike Santoro released the 80/20 DVD, like every other member of his network I gladly purchased and viewed it right away. Now that some time has passed, I believe that this important project warrants further discussion. It is for this reason that I have watched the DVD again and am writing a short article on 10 of the themes that resonated with me.

The first 80/20 theme I would like to comment on is that consumers need to stand up for their rights. To me, this issue is truly central to any effort intended to improve the experience of those who suffer from a mental illness. I believe we have more momentum now than ever before, and more work is being done to educate about mental illness and to reduce stigma. However, much of this will be lost when a person living with a mental illness chooses to self-stigmatize or accept stigma from others.

If one chooses to accept poor treatment by their doctors, their family, their friends or co-workers, the efforts of the community surrounding them are lost for that moment.

I speak from experience and, in a way, I am speaking to myself. From 2003 to 2005, when I was suffering from the symptoms of rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, I denied my illness. I hid it from my family, friends and colleagues, I refused to take medication for the first year of symptoms and in general I suffered far more stigma of my own making than from any other.

Since I can’t change how long it took me to find a place of acceptance, peace and clarity, I share my story with you. I sincerely hope that I can help you, or your loved one, find this place sooner than I did.

Be well,
Jason Finucan